Word forms: comparative faster, superlative fastest, plural, 3rd person singular presenttense fasts, present participle fasting, past tense, past participle fasted
1. adjective
Fast means happening, moving, or doing something at great speed. You also use fast in questions or statements about speed.
...fast cars with flashing lights and sirens.
Brindley was known as a very, very fast driver.
The party aims to attract votes from the business and professional communities, whichwant a faster pace of political reform.
The only question is how fast the process will be.
Fast is also an adverb.
They work terrifically fast.
It would be nice to go faster and break the world record.
He thinks they're not adapting fast enough.
Barnes also knows that he is fast running out of time.
How fast were you driving?
How fast would the disease develop?
2. adverb [ADVERB after verb]
You use fast to say that something happens without any delay.
When you've got a crisis like this you need professional help–fast!
We'd appreciate your leaving as fast as possible.
Fast is also an adjective.
That would be an astonishingly fast action on the part of the Congress.
3. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If a watch or clock is fast, it is showing a time that is later than the real time.
That clock's an hour fast.
4.
See to hold fast
5. adverb [ADVERB after verb]
If you hold fast to a principle or idea, or if you stand fast, you do not change your mind about it, even though people are trying to persuade you to.
We can only try to hold fast to the age-old values of honesty, decency and concernfor others.
He told supporters to stand fast over the next few vital days.
Synonyms: firmly, staunchly, resolutely, steadfastly More Synonyms of fast
6. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If colours or dyes are fast, they do not come out of the fabrics they are used on when they get wet.
The fabric was ironed to make the colours fast.
Synonyms: indelible, lasting, permanent More Synonyms of fast
7. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
A fast way of life is one which involves a lot of enjoyable and expensive or dangerous activities.
Life in Detroit no longer satisfied him; he wanted the fast life of California.
8. verb
If you fast, you eat no food for a period of time, usually for either religious or medical reasons, or as a protest.
I fasted for a day and half and asked God to help me. [VERB]
Fast is also a noun.
The fast is broken at sunset, traditionally with dates and water.
fastinguncountable noun
...the Muslim holy month of fasting and prayer.
9.
See fast asleep
10.
See to play fast and loose
11.
See to pull a fast one
12. to make a fast buck
13. fast lane
More Synonyms of fast
fast in British English1
(fɑːst)
adjective
1.
acting or moving or capable of acting or moving quickly; swift
2.
accomplished in or lasting a short time
fast work
a fast visit
3. (prenominal)
adapted to or facilitating rapid movement
the fast lane of a motorway
4.
requiring rapidity of action or movement
a fast sport
5.
(of a clock, etc) indicating a time in advance of the correct time
6.
given to an active dissipated life
7.
of or characteristic of such activity
a fast life
8.
not easily moved; firmly fixed; secure
9.
firmly fastened, secured, or shut
10.
steadfast; constant (esp in the phrase fast friends)
11. sport
(of a playing surface, running track, etc) conducive to rapid speed, as of a ball used on it or of competitors playing or racing on it
12.
that will not fade or change colour readily
a fast dye
13.
a.
proof against fading
the colour is fast to sunlight
b.
(in combination)
washfast
14. photography
a.
requiring a relatively short time of exposure to produce a given density
a fast film
b.
permitting a short exposure time
a fast shutter
15. cricket
(of a bowler) characteristically delivering the ball rapidly
16. informal
glib or unreliable; deceptive
a fast talker
17. archaic
sound; deep
a fast sleep
18. informal
a deceptive or unscrupulous trick (esp in the phrase pull a fast one)
19. fast worker
adverb
20.
quickly; rapidly
21.
soundly; deeply
fast asleep
22.
firmly; tightly
23.
in quick succession
24.
in advance of the correct time
my watch is running fast
25.
in a reckless or dissipated way
26. fast by
27. play fast and loose
exclamation
28. archery
(said by the field captain to archers) stop shooting!
Word origin
Old English fæst strong, tight; related to Old High German festi firm, Old Norse fastr
fast in British English2
(fɑːst)
verb
1. (intransitive)
to abstain from eating all or certain foods or meals, esp as a religious observance
noun
2.
a.
an act or period of fasting
b.
(as modifier)
a fast day
Derived forms
faster (ˈfaster)
noun
Word origin
Old English fæstan; related to Old High German fastēn to fast, Gothic fastan
FAST in British English
(fɑːst)
acronym for
face, arms, speech, time: used to assess whether a person has suffered a stroke
fast in American English1
(fæst; fɑst)
adjective
1.
not easily moved, freed, or separated; firm, fixed, or stuck
the ship was fast on the rocks
2.
firmly fastened or shut
make the shutters fast
3.
loyal; devoted
fast friends
4.
that will not fade
fast colors
5.
rapid in movement or action; swift; quick; speedy
6.
permitting or facilitating swift movement
a fast highway
7.
taking or lasting a short time
a fast lunch
8.
showing or keeping to a time in advance of a standard or scheduled time
his watch is fast
9.
a.
living in a reckless, wild, dissipated way
a fast crowd
b.
promiscuous sexually
10. US, Informal
glib and deceptive
a fast talker
11. Slang
acting, gotten, done, etc. quickly and often dishonestly
out for a fast buck
12. Bacteriology
resistant to dissolution or decolorization, as certain bacteria
13. Photography
adapted to or allowing very short exposure time
a fast lens, fast film
14. Dialectal
complete; sound
a fast sleep
adverb
15.
firmly; fixedly
16.
thoroughly; soundly
fast asleep
17.
rapidly; swiftly; quickly; speedily
18.
ahead of time
19.
in a reckless, dissipated way; wildly
20. OLD-FASHIONED, Poetic, Obsolete
close; near
fast by the river
noun
21. Nautical
a rope for mooring
a stern fast
Idioms:
a fast one
play fast and loose
SYNONYMY NOTE: fast1, rapid are generally interchangeable in expressing the idea of a relatively high rate ofmovement or action, but , fast1 more often refers to the person or thing that moves or acts, and , rapid to the action [a fast typist, rapid transcription]; swift implies great rapidity, but in addition often connotes smooth, easy movement; , fleet2 suggests a nimbleness or lightness in that which moves swiftly; , quick implies promptness of action, or occurrence in a brief space of time, rather thanvelocity [a quick reply]; speedy intensifies the idea of quickness, but may also connote high velocity [a speedy recovery, a speedy flight]; hasty suggests hurried action and may connote carelessness, rashness, or impatience
OPPOSITE: slow
Word origin
ME < OE fæst, akin to Ger fest, firm, stable < IE base *pasto-, fixed, secure > Arm hast
fast in American English2
(fæst; fɑst)
verb intransitive
1.
to abstain from all or certain foods, as in observing a holy day
2.
to eat very little or nothing
noun
3.
the act of fasting
4.
a day or period of fasting
Idioms:
break one's fast
Word origin
ME fasten < OE fæstan, akin to Ger fasten, Goth fastan, lit., hold fast < base of fast1
More idioms containing
fast
pull a fast one
play fast and loose with something
the fast lane
the fast track to something
Examples of 'fast' in a sentence
fast
They are one of a number of teams who play fast football.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Too hot and it goes off too fast.
The Sun (2017)
He is at his best in big fields with a fast pace.
The Sun (2016)
It just needs to be tended to and tended to fast enough.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Average wages are growing almost three times as fast.
The Sun (2016)
The country has one of the fastest growing economies in Africa.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He talks, walks and eats fast and is neat to a fault.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This is a beast that mainly exists, of course, while the rest of the country is fast asleep.
The Sun (2017)
They have pulled away fast in periods of growth to be followed by the other regions.
Forrest, Ray & Murie, Alan & Williams, Peter Home-ownership - differentiation and fragmentation (1990)
No certainty there of a fast surface.
The Sun (2009)
You can be fast asleep all night and still wake up tense and sore.
Hambly, Dr Kenneth Banish Anxiety - how to stop worrying and take charge of your life (1991)
The deacons called on the church council to join in prayer and fasting.
Christianity Today (2000)
You have smaller odds of it going fast than if you plump for either of the others.
The Sun (2015)
The questions came thick and fast and they concerned only one man.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This emergency trigger would allow them to literally pull a fast one.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Many of her rivals had facial hair and astonishingly fast times.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The tip just got away with the fast ground there and will enjoy these conditions.
The Sun (2008)
The language drifts round and about fast by the day.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They could be the fastest on the field while running in a straight line.
The Sun (2011)
Walk fast enough to increase your breathing but not so you get out of breath.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Fast forward to this weekend and there was real aggravation in the dressing room.
The Sun (2012)
There is no reason to be rigid with intermittent fasting either.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Sometimes we get pangs for a return to the fast pace of life.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Time to restore polish is fast running out.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Who gets sick driving fast and presents a car show?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The very slow and very fast drivers are the most dangerous.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We have moved fast in a short space of time.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Virtually anything is possible if you hold fast to a dream.
Austin, Valerie Self-Hypnosis (1994)
Oman's gentleness can make your home country feel a bit fast and loose.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
fast
British English: fast /fɑːst/ ADJECTIVE
Fast means happening, moving, or doing something at great speed. You also use fast in questions or statements about speed.
...fast cars with flashing lights and sirens.
American English: fast
Arabic: سَرِيع
Brazilian Portuguese: rápido
Chinese: 快速的
Croatian: brz
Czech: rychlý
Danish: hurtig
Dutch: snel
European Spanish: rápido
Finnish: nopea
French: rapide
German: schnell
Greek: γρήγορος
Italian: veloce
Japanese: 速い
Korean: 빠른
Norwegian: hurtig
Polish: szybki
European Portuguese: rápido
Romanian: rapid
Russian: быстрый
Latin American Spanish: rápido
Swedish: snabb
Thai: เร็ว
Turkish: hızlı
Ukrainian: швидкий
Vietnamese: nhanh
British English: fast /fɑːst/ ADVERB
You use fast to say that something happens without any delay.
When you've got a crisis like this you need professional help – fast!
American English: fast
Arabic: بِسُرْعَة
Brazilian Portuguese: rapidamente
Chinese: 很快地
Croatian: brzo
Czech: rychle
Danish: hurtigt
Dutch: snel
European Spanish: deprisa
Finnish: nopeasti
French: vite
German: schnell
Greek: γρήγορα
Italian: velocemente
Japanese: 速く
Korean: 빨리
Norwegian: fort
Polish: szybko
European Portuguese: rapidamente
Romanian: repede
Russian: быстро
Latin American Spanish: deprisa
Swedish: snabbt
Thai: อย่างรวดเร็ว
Turkish: hızlı
Ukrainian: швидко
Vietnamese: nhanh
British English: fast VERB
If you fast, you eat no food for a period of time, usually for either religious or medical reasons, or as a protest.
I fasted for a day and a half and prayed.
American English: fast
Brazilian Portuguese: jejuar
Chinese: 禁食因宗教、医疗或抗议等原因
European Spanish: ayunar
French: jeûner
German: fasten
Italian: digiunare
Japanese: 断食する
Korean: 단식하다
European Portuguese: jejuar
Latin American Spanish: ayunar
All related terms of 'fast'
fast by
close or hard by; very near
acid-fast
(of bacteria and tissues ) resistant to decolorization by mineral acids after staining
fast buck
money made easily or quickly and sometimes unscrupulously
fast day
a religious holy day, etc. observed by fasting
fast food
Fast food is hot food, such as hamburgers and chips , that you obtain from particular types of restaurant, and which is served quickly after you order it.
fast lane
On a motorway, the fast lane is the part of the road where the vehicles that are travelling fastest go .
fast one
a shrewd action, esp. when unscrupulous or dishonest ; an unfair trick , deceitful practice, dishonest dealing , etc
fast pace
The pace of something is the speed at which it happens or is done.
fast talk
fervent , deceptive patter
fast time
→ daylight saving time
tub-fast
(in the past ) a period of fasting and sweating in a hot tub , intended as a cure for venereal disease
fast-acting
taking effect quickly
fast-action
taking effect quickly
fast asleep
Someone who is fast asleep or sound asleep is sleeping deeply.
fast bowler
a bowler who characteristically delivers the ball rapidly
fast break
a play, as in basketball , in which a team quickly moves down the playing area in an attempt to score before an adequate defense can be set up
fast casual
a style of fast food involving healthier , fresher , and more varied dishes than traditional fast food, served in more attractive surroundings
fast motion
action that appears to have occurred at a faster speed than that at which it was filmed
fast-moving
moving or capable of moving quickly
fast pitch
a variety of softball in which the ball is pitched at a high speed with an underhand motion
fast speed
The speed of something is the rate at which it moves or travels .
fast track
The fast track to a particular goal , especially in politics or in your career , is the quickest route to achieving it.
fast worker
a person who achieves results quickly, esp in seductions
light-fast
(of a dye or dyed article ) unaffected by light
relay fast
(esp in India ) a form of protest in which a number of persons go without food by turns
stand fast
to maintain one's position firmly
a fast one
a deceptive act
fast breeder
a nuclear reactor that uses little or no moderator and produces more fissionable material than it consumes
fast dissolve
a transition that fades out one scene and replaces it with another, merging the two scenes imperceptibly
fast fashion
the reproduction of highly fashionable clothes at high speed and low cost
fast-flowing
flowing rapidly
fast follower
a company that is quick to pick up good new ideas from other companies
fast-forward
When you fast forward the tape in a video or tape recorder or when you fast forward , you make the tape go forwards. Compare → rewind .
fast-growing
growing very quickly
fast neutron
a neutron produced by nuclear fission that has lost little energy by collision ; a neutron with a kinetic energy in excess of 0.1 MeV
fast reactor
a nuclear reactor using little or no moderator , fission being caused by fast neutrons
fast-selling
selling quickly and in large quantities
fast-tracker
a person who is being fast-tracked for promotion
fast-tracking
the practice of speeding up the progress of a project or person
a fast buck
easily gained money
to hold fast
If you hold something fast , you hold it tightly and firmly. If something is stuck fast , it is stuck very firmly and cannot move.
hard and fast
If you say that there are no hard and fast rules, or that there is no hard and fast information about something, you are indicating that there are no fixed or definite rules or facts .
the fast lane
If you say that someone lives their life in the fast lane , you mean that they live in a way which seems full of activity and excitement but which often involves a lot of pressure .
thick and fast
If things happen thick and fast , they happen very quickly and in large numbers .
break one's fast
to eat food for the first time after fasting , or for the first time in the day
fast-food chain
a chain of restaurants serving fast food
fast-food industry
the industry surrounding fast-food restaurants
pull a fast one
to succeed in tricking someone in order to get an advantage
fast-breeder reactor
A fast-breeder reactor or a fast-breeder is a kind of nuclear reactor that produces more plutonium than it uses.
fast-food restaurant
A restaurant is a place where you can eat a meal and pay for it. In restaurants your food is usually served to you at your table by a waiter or waitress .
Chinese translation of 'fast'
fast
(fɑːst)
adj
[runner, car, progress]快的 (kuài de)
⇒ He was a very fast driver.他开车很快。 (Tā kāichē hěn kuài.)
[dye, colour]不褪色的 (bù tuìsè de)
adv
[run, act, think]快 (kuài)
[stick, hold]紧(緊)紧(緊)地 (jǐnjǐn de)
n(c)
(Rel) 禁食期 (jìnshíqī)
vi
(Rel) 禁食 (jìnshí)
to be fast[clock, watch]快 (kuài)
my watch is 5 minutes fast我的表(錶)快5分钟(鐘) (wǒ de biǎo kuài wǔ fēnzhōng)
fast asleep酣睡 (hānshuì)
to hold fast to sth (fig) 坚(堅)持某事 (jiānchí mǒushì)
to stand fast (fig) 不让(讓)步 (bù ràngbù)
as fast as I can我尽(盡)快 (wǒ jìnkuài)
to make a boat fast (Brit) 把船拴牢 (bǎ chuán shuānláo)
All related terms of 'fast'
fast food
( burger etc ) 快餐 kuàicān
fast asleep
酣睡 hānshuì
fast-growing
( business, market ) 高速发(發)展的 gāosù fāzhǎn de
to be fast
( clock, watch ) 快 kuài
to stand fast
( fig ) 不让(讓)步 bù ràngbù
thick and fast
席卷(捲)而来(來) xíjuǎn ér lái
news travels fast
消息传(傳)得快 xiāoxi chuán de kuài
as fast as I can
我尽(盡)快 wǒ jìnkuài
to hold fast to sth
( fig ) 坚(堅)持某事 jiānchí mǒushì
to make a boat fast
( Brit ) 把船拴牢 bǎ chuán shuānláo
my watch is 5 minutes fast
我的表(錶)快5分钟(鐘) wǒ de biǎo kuài wǔ fēnzhōng
to make a fast or quick buck
( inf ) 很快地捞(撈)一笔(筆) hěn kuài de lāoyībǐ
1 (adjective)
Definition
accomplished in or lasting a short time
She walked at a fast pace.
Synonyms
quick
Europe has moved a long way at a quick pace.
flying
He made a flying start to the final.
winged
rapid
He walked at a rapid pace along Charles Street.
fleet
He was fleet as a deer.
hurried
They had a hurried breakfast, then left.
accelerated
swift
a swift runner
speedy
We wish Bill a speedy recovery.
brisk
The horse broke into a brisk trot.
hasty
They need to make a hasty escape.
nimble
Lily, who was light and nimble on her feet, was learning to tap-dance.
mercurial
sprightly
nippy (British, informal)
He's nippy, and well suited to badminton.
Opposites
slow
,
leisurely
,
plodding
,
slow moving
,
unhurried
2 (adjective)
Definition
firmly fixed, fastened, or shut
He held the gate fast.
Synonyms
fixed
The locking frame can secure bikes to any fixed object.
firm
Use a firm platform or a sturdy ladder.
sound
His body was still sound.
stuck
She had got something stuck between her teeth.
secure
Shelves are only as secure as their fixings.
tight
Keep a tight grip on my hand.
jammed
fortified
fastened
impregnable
The old fort with its thick, high walls was virtually impregnable.
immovable
It was declared unsafe because the support bars were immovable.
Opposites
weak
,
unstable
,
wavering
,
unreliable
,
unfaithful
,
irresolute
,
inconstant
3 (adjective)
Definition
(of colours and dyes) not likely to fade
The fabric was ironed to make the colours fast.
Synonyms
indelible
My visit to India left an indelible impression on me.
lasting
She left a lasting impression on him.
permanent
Wear earplugs to avoid causing permanent damage.
4 (adjective)
Definition
given to a life of expensive and exciting activities
(archaic)
She has made headlines for her wealth and fast lifestyle.
Synonyms
dissipated
He was still handsome though dissipated.
wild
I was just a kid and full of wild ideas.
exciting
loose (old-fashioned)
loose morals
extravagant
reckless
immoral
It is immoral to persist with a system that impoverishes so many people.
promiscuous
Everyone nowadays is aware of the risks of promiscuous sex.
She is perceived as vain, spoilt and promiscuous.
giddy
self-indulgent
To buy flowers for myself seems wildly self-indulgent.
wanton
His eldest son was a wanton youth and a disappointment to him.
profligate
setting his usual profligate and rakish example to society
impure
He was accused of having impure motives.
intemperate
the unwisely intemperate language of the party leader
dissolute
She regretted her dissolute life.
rakish
licentious
alarming stories of licentious behaviour
gadabout (informal)
5 (adjective)
Definition
devoted and loyal friends
The men had always been fast friends.
Synonyms
close
lasting
firm
They needed the firm guiding hand of a parental figure.
permanent
constant
She couldn't bear the thought of losing her constant companion.
devoted
a loving and devoted father
loyal
She was always such a loyal friend.
faithful
A dog is the most faithful creature you'll ever meet.
I remained faithful to my family.
stalwart
a stalwart supporter of the colonial government
staunch
He's a staunch supporter of controls on government spending.
steadfast
a steadfast friend
unwavering
She has been encouraged by the unwavering support of her family.
1 (adverb)
Definition
quickly
She drives terrifically fast.
Synonyms
quickly
She turned and ran quickly up the stairs to the flat above.
rapidly
He was moving rapidly around the room.
swiftly
Lenny moved swiftly and silently across the front lawn.
hastily
I said goodnight hastily.
hurriedly
speedily
This review is being conducted as speedily as possible.
presto
apace (literary)
Summer gallops on apace.
in haste
like a shot (informal)
at full speed
hell for leather (informal)
The first horse often goes hell for leather.
like lightning
hotfoot
She arrived hotfoot from the office.
like a flash
at a rate of knots
like the clappers (British, informal)
like a bat out of hell (slang)
pdq (slang)
like nobody's business (informal)
posthaste
The pilot decided to return to Farnborough post haste.
like greased lightning (informal)
with all haste
Opposites
slowly
,
gradually
,
steadily
,
leisurely
,
at your leisure
,
at a snail's pace
,
unhurriedly
2 (adverb)
We can only try to hold fast to our principles.
Synonyms
firmly
Political opinions are firmly held.
staunchly
resolutely
steadfastly
determinedly
unwaveringly
unchangeably
3 (adverb)
Definition
firmly and tightly
She held fast to the stair rail.
Synonyms
securely
firmly
She held me firmly by the elbow.
tightly
fixedly
4 (adverb)
The tanker is stuck fast on the rocks.
Synonyms
fixedly
firmly
soundly
deeply
securely
tightly
5 (adverb)
He lived fast and died young.
Synonyms
recklessly
wildly
loosely
extravagantly
promiscuously
rakishly
intemperately
6 (adverb)
When he went to bed, she was already fast asleep.
Synonyms
sound
soundly
How can he sleep soundly at night?
deeply
(verb)
Definition
to go without food for a period of time, esp. for religious reasons
They fasted for the religious festival.
Synonyms
go hungry
You've never known what it is to go hungry.
abstain
go without food
deny yourself
practise abstention
refrain from food or eating
(noun)
Definition
a period of fasting
The fast is broken, traditionally with dates and water.
Synonyms
fasting
diet
Have you been on a diet? You've lost a lot of weight.
abstinence
Additional synonyms
in the sense of apace
Definition
quickly
Summer gallops on apace.
Synonyms
quickly,
rapidly,
swiftly,
speedily,
without delay,
at full speed,
expeditiously,
posthaste,
with dispatch
in the sense of brisk
Definition
lively and quick
The horse broke into a brisk trot.
Synonyms
quick,
lively,
energetic,
active,
vigorous,
animated,
bustling,
speedy,
nimble,
agile,
sprightly,
vivacious,
spry
in the sense of constant
Definition
faithful
She couldn't bear the thought of losing her constant companion.